The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-09-15
--~ nnql II.

states of Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts,,
Connecticut and Rhode Island. If they do
not become laws it will be the fault of the
Republican Senate. But this is not all. There
were pending on the House calendar at the
close of last session of Congress, bills forfeit
ing from ten other roads territory equal to
1906, ,214 acres of land. Again by decisions
of the commissioner of the land Office, ap-
proved by the Secretary of the Interior, from
March 5, 1885, when Cleveland's administra-
ton began, to the present time, there have
been restored to the public domain tracts of
other lands aggregating millions of acres.
In addition to all this, Cleveland's admin
istration by the institution OF legal proceed
ings and other remedies, is recovering tracts
of thousands of acres more, which interlop-
ing foreign syndicates and others without
any right whatever, were fencing up and
driving from them with shot-guns the actual
settlers who desired to make home upon
them. 1t will then be seen that the Demo-
cratic party is redeeming the pledges it made
to the people in the campaign of 1884, and
restoring to the public domain large por-
ton of those lands, which the Republi-
can party had given away to mammoth rail-
road corporations. The laboring men of the
country are deeply interested in this question,
for the public lands are the heritage of the
people. In this matter as well as in every
other question, affecting his rights, the
Democratic party has been the best friend
and protector of the laboring man.
THE ADMINISTRATIONS.
The administration of President Cleveland
has not only been the champion of the rights
of'the poor man, but it has been equally faith
full in advancing the interests of the soldiers.
There are more ex-union soldiers holding Of
flee and drawing pensions under the General
Government at the present time thanunderany
of the Republican administrations. President
Cleveland approved the act of March 49, 1885,
which increased the pensions of 1887 widows,
minors and dependent relatives of Union sol
diers to So per month. He approved the act of
August 4, 1886, which increased the pensions of
10000 crippled and manned Union soldiers of
the late war, from S24 to $50 from $50 $685. from
$50 and $3.50 to S45 per month. He approved
the act of January g, 1887, which has already
placed upon the pension rolls 8,455 survivors
and widows of the war with Mexico, and this
number will be increased to at least 25 O9O with
in the present fiscal year. This is not all.
within the two years and five months of his
administration he has approved n more pri-
vate pension bills than President Grant and
Hayes approved in twelve years, and 1N more
than Presidents Garfield and Arthur approved
in four years. Moreover there have been
1885, $50 more pension certificates issued in the
first two years of his administration than in
the last two years under Republican rule. In
the same time there has been an increase of
more than sl6OOO,OO0 in disbursements on ac-
count of pensions, and net gain of 15,4OS
pensions upon the rolls, in favor of the DEM
ocratic administration. These unanswerable
facts conclusively prove that President Cleve-
land has been as true and steadfast friend of
the soldier any man who has occupied the
White House
While the splendid work has been going on
we have also been largely reducing the public
debt, decreasing the number of public officials,
and increasing the salary of none. We have
not proposed single measure fayoring mo-
nopoly of any kind, but on the contrary we
have inaugurated the reforms which we prom
ised the people in our last National plat
form. Retrenchment and economy have been
the rule in every branch of the public service
During the first fiscal year of Cleveland's
Administration there was large decrease in
expenditure in every department of the gov
eminent, so that the first year of Democratic
rule maQe a clear saving IOr In0 people OF over
seventeen millions of dollars in comparison
with the last year of the preceding .Republi-
can administration.
This is vast sum of money, and would be
large enough to pay all the expenses of our
State if economically administered, for Pc
riod of at least six years. In addition to this
we paid to soldiers in pensions the sum of
100000 and over the excess of what was paid
during the last year of Arthur's administra-
ment since the Democratic party has been in
power, has impressed the people that they
have a President who is wise and prudent,
and who has brought to the discharge of all
his duties great conscience well as great
courage. He is constantly growing in strength
and popularity with people of all parties, and
his term of office has thus far been marked as
one of the most peaceful and prosperous
periods our country has ever known.
The party which has sacredly performed
its promises in national affairs can safely be
a period of nearly two years extravaganza has
been the rule in Ohio. We have already bor-
rowed half million dollars, and still we will
soon be unable to meet our obligations, except
by further large increase in the bonded in
debtedness of the state. If intrusted with
power the Democratic party promises to in
augurate the necessary reforms, and make the
proper retrenchments to keep the expenditures
within the revenue of the state, and give the
people of Ohio an honest and economical
administration.